The growth in women’s football in recent years has been extraordinary, with more and more clubs entering women’s teams across all age groups.
West Preston-Lakeside has been no exception, with the club entering a senior women’s team for the first time in 2017.
They will create history at 4:15pm this Saturday when they host Whitehorse 2 in the inaugural Northpark NFLW match at J.E. Moore Park.
While the opening round of the competition won’t be played until Sunday April 23, the Roosters and Colts have brought forward their season-opener and play following the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 men’s contest between West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg.
West Preston-Lakeside has a strong history across all age groups, and now the senior women have the opportunity to add to the fantastic tapestry of the club and to forge their own history.
The Roosters’ women’s side will compete in Division 2 of the Northpark NFLW competition, playing against Darebin 2, Diamond Creek 2, Kew 2, Latrobe Uni 2, Laurimar, Montmorency, South Morang, VU Western Spurs 2 and Whitehorse 2.
West Preston-Lakeside’s women’s coach Brett Pollard acknowledges the work that went on behind the scenes to make the club’s vision a reality.
He is ecstatic with the interest and enthusiasm that his side’s entry into the Northpark NFLW League has generated.
“We had volunteers who worked hard to get the word out there that we were going to enter a team,” Pollard told NFL.org.au.
“The impact on the club has been huge. The club couldn’t be in a better spot. We have more people coming to the club and we have more kids coming down which means that we have more junior teams.
“We have around 40 women registered and it looks like there are still more coming.”
Given it is only West Preston-Lakeside’s first year in a senior women’s competition, Pollard is simply looking for improvement from his team on a weekly basis.
“I love coaching the women. Now that there is a pathway for the girls, it is great. They all listen and they all want to develop and hopefully one day some will play in the AFLW,” he said.
“The girls are just happy to be playing footy. It’s all about having fun and if they all come back next year, we’ve done our job.”
Tomorrow: Whitehorse Colts
